3A Curriculum At A Glance

This course is designed for 8th Grade Pre-Law Studies students (3A). This comprehensive pre-law studies course is an experimental course designed to explicitly use psychology and sociology to assess the consequences of law and legal procedures on people, their relationships, and their communities in an effort to make law have a positive effect. At the successful completion of this course, students will have developed analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems. Finally, this course will improve students’ social interaction skills and understand human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals, especially members of minority groups in America.

Fall Semester

Module I: Criminal Law*

Module I provides students with a foundation and frame of reference for substantive criminal law: principles underlying the definition of crime such as the requirements of actus reus and mens rea and general doctrines such as ignorance of fact and ignorance of law, causation, attempt, complicity and conspiracy. Principles of justification and excuse are examined with particular attention to the doctrines of necessity, intoxication, insanity, diminished capacity and automatism. The substantive offense of homicide is extensively reviewed, and from time to time other offenses such as theft. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the basic theory of the criminal law and the relationship between doctrines and the various justifications for imposition of punishment.

Module I topics include:

• The Nature of Crimes

• Crime in America

• Theories of Punishment

• Criminal Law and Specific Crimes

Module II: Criminal Procedure I*

Module II students to the rules and procedures that govern the pretrial processing of criminal suspects and the conduct of criminal trials. While being primarily focused on principles of American criminal procedure, the course also examines the comprehensive treatment of the rules and procedures that govern the pretrial processing of criminal suspects, and Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights.

Module II topics include:

• Due Process Rights

• Proceedings Before the Trial

• Court Procedures

• Sentencing and Correcting

• Juvenile Justice

Spring Semester

Module III: Criminal Procedure II*

Module III examines topics not covered in Criminal Procedure I, including the grand jury process, bail, the plea-bargain process, right to jury trial, double jeopardy, joinder and severance, and right to confront and examine witnesses.

Module III topics includes:

• Constitutional Rights of the Accused

• Famous Supreme Court Cases

• Legal Research and Writing

• Writing Case Briefs

Module IV: Mock Trial Strategy, Preparation, and Practice

Module IV covers the mechanics of trials with a focus on preparation for interscholastic trial advocacy competitions. Students will present direct and cross examinations of lay and expert witnesses, opening statements, and closing arguments, and will introduce evidentiary exhibits with appropriate foundation. A significant portion of the module will be devoted to a review of both the Federal and Florida Rules of Evidence, with special emphasis on trial evidence.

Module IV topics include:

• Rules of evidence

• Organizing Opening Statements

• Drafting Closing Statements

• Deliberations and Decision

* Required courses for ABA accredited law school students.